U.S. Support For Gun Control Tops 2-1, Highest Ever, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Let Dreamers Stay, 80 Percent Of Voters Say

Share

PDF format
Additional Trend Information
Sample and Methodology detail

American voters support stricter gun laws 66 - 31 percent, the highest level of support ever measured by the independent Quinnipiac University National Poll, with 50 - 44 percent support among gun owners and 62 - 35 percent support from white voters with no college degree and 58 - 38 percent support among white men.

Today's result is up from a negative 47 - 50 percent measure of support in a December 23, 2015, survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll.

Support for universal background checks is itself almost universal, 97 - 2 percent, including 97 - 3 percent among gun owners. Support for gun control on other questions is at its highest level since the Quinnipiac University Poll began focusing on this issue in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre:
  • 67 - 29 percent for a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons;
  • 83 - 14 percent for a mandatory waiting period for all gun purchases. It is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, American voters say 67 - 3 percent. If more people carried guns, the U.S. would be less safe, voters say 59 - 33 percent. Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence, voters say 75 - 17 percent.
Stricter gun control would do more to reduce gun violence in schools, 40 percent of voters say, while 34 percent say metal detectors would do more and 20 percent say armed teachers are the answer.

"If you think Americans are largely unmoved by the mass shootings, you should think again. Support for stricter gun laws is up 19 points in little more than 2 years," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

"In the last two months, some of the biggest surges in support for tightening gun laws comes from demographic groups you may not expect, independent voters, men, and whites with no college degree."

Mass killings by U.S. citizens is a bigger problem than mass killings by people from other countries, American voters say 70 - 20 percent.

Military Parade

American voters disapprove 61 - 26 percent of President Donald Trump's plan for a military parade. Every listed party, gender, education, age and racial group disapproves except Republicans, who approve 58 - 24 percent.

And voters say 75 - 18 percent, including 52 - 37 percent among Republicans, that the estimated $10 million to $30 million to pay for the parade is not a good use of government funds.

Dreamers

American voters support 80 - 16 percent allowing undocumented children brought to the U.S. as children, so-called "Dreamers," to remain and eventually apply for citizenship. Every listed group supports Dreamers by wide margins.

Voters think 63 - 27 percent that Trump wants Dreamers to be deported. Only Republicans think Trump wants Dreamers to remain. And voters think 55 - 32 percent that Republicans in Congress want Dreamers deported. Again, only Republicans think their leaders want Dreamers to remain.

Voters think 85 - 8 percent that Democrats in Congress want Dreamers to stay.

2018 Congressional Elections

American voters say 53 - 38 percent, including 47 - 36 percent among independent voters, they want the Democratic Party to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives this year. Voters say 54 - 39 percent, including 51 - 38 percent among independent voters, they want the Democrats to win control of the U.S. Senate this year.

The Democrats can do a better job handling immigration, voters say 52 - 38 percent. Democrats can do a better job handling gun violence, voters say 52 - 31 percent.

From February 16 - 19, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,249 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 percentage points, including the design effect. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts nationwide public opinion surveys, and statewide polls in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and Colorado as a public service and for research.

Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll

Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.


10. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Republican Party     38%    93%     2%    36%    45%    31%    42%    46%
Democratic Party     53      5     95     47     45     61     52     42
DK/NA                 9      2      3     16     10      8      6     12
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Republican Party     28%    37%    38%    44%    52%    37%    44%     7%    29%
Democratic Party     63     52     53     50     38     55     47     86     57
DK/NA                10     11      9      6     11      8      9      6     14
TREND: If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives? 
                     Rep     Dem
                     Party   Party   DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         38      53       9
Feb 07, 2018         40      49      11
Jan 24, 2018         38      51      11
Jan 18, 2018         39      50      10
Jan 11, 2018         35      52      13 
Dec 19, 2017         37      52      12
Dec 13, 2017         37      49      13
Dec 05, 2017         36      50      13
Nov 14, 2017         38      51      11
Oct 11, 2017         41      49      10
Click here for full trends


11. If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States Senate? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Republican Party     39%    96%     2%    38%    45%    32%    41%    49%
Democratic Party     54      4     95     51     46     61     53     41
DK/NA                 7      1      3     11      9      6      6     10
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Republican Party     28%    39%    39%    45%    53%    38%    45%     7%    31%
Democratic Party     67     52     52     50     38     55     47     88     62
DK/NA                 5     10      9      5      9      6      8      5      7
TREND: If the election were today, would you want to see the Republican Party or the Democratic Party win control of the United States Senate? 
                     Rep     Dem
                     Party   Party   DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         39      54       7
Feb 07, 2018         42      49       9
Jan 24, 2018         39      53       8
Jan 18, 2018         40      52       8
Jan 11, 2018         36      53      11 
Dec 19, 2017         37      53      10
Dec 13, 2017         39      51      10
Dec 05, 2017         37      51      12
Nov 14, 2017         39      52       8
Oct 11, 2017         43      49       8
Click here for full trends


12. Compared to past midterm elections, how motivated would you say you are to vote in this year's midterm election; are you more motivated to vote than usual, less motivated, or are you just as motivated as usual? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
More                 49%    41%    59%    46%    46%    52%    46%    44%
Less                  6      2      6      7      7      5      3      8
As usual             44     57     35     45     47     42     50     47
DK/NA                 1      -      1      1      1      1      1      1
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
More                 54%    50%    47%    45%    41%    48%    45%    55%    58%
Less                  6      7      7      3      6      5      5      6      9
As usual             40     41     45     51     52     46     49     39     33
DK/NA                 -      1      -      1      1      1      1      -      -
21. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Very satisfied        8%    20%     -      8%    10%     6%     9%    10%
Smwht satisfied      21     46      5     22     28     16     24     24
Smwht dissatisfied   22     22     23     22     26     19     21     25
Very dissatisfied    47     10     70     49     35     57     44     41
DK/NA                 1      3      1      -      1      1      2      1
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Very satisfied        5%     7%     9%    12%    11%     8%     9%     1%     9%
Smwht satisfied      18     22     21     24     31     18     24      6     20
Smwht dissatisfied   31     22     22     17     25     22     23     22     21
Very dissatisfied    45     49     46     46     32     51     42     71     47
DK/NA                 2      -      2      1      1      2      1      1      2
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in the nation today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? 
                     Very    Smwht   Smwht   Very
                     sat     sat     dis     dis     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018          8      21      22      47       1
Jan 18, 2018          9      31      22      37       1
Dec 20, 2017          7      26      24      43       1
Nov 22, 2017          7      25      29      38       1
Nov 14, 2017          5      23      29      42       1
Oct 11, 2017          3      24      29      43       1
Sep 27, 2017          2      22      33      41       1
Aug 24, 2017          3      19      27      50       1
Aug 17, 2017          6      26      26      42       1
Aug 03, 2017          5      27      29      39       1
Click here for full trends


22. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling the economy, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     46%     3%    85%    41%    40%    52%    42%    39%
Republican party     42     93      5     43     50     34     48     46
NO DIFF(VOL)          7      2      4     10      7      6      7      7
DK/NA                 5      2      5      6      3      8      4      8
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     56%    46%    46%    42%    34%    46%    40%    81%    47%
Republican party     31     42     43     47     55     40     47     13     37
NO DIFF(VOL)          6      8      8      5      8      6      7      2      8
DK/NA                 7      5      3      7      3      8      6      4      8
TREND: Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling the economy, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                     Dem     Rep
                     Party   Party   NO DIFF DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         46      42       7       5
Dec 05, 2017         45      43       6       6
Aug 03, 2017         44      44       5       6
Apr 03, 2013         40      42      11       7
23. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling the federal budget, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     43%     2%    81%    38%    38%    48%    40%    34%
Republican party     39     89      7     37     45     33     43     44
NO DIFF(VOL)         10      4      6     15     11      9     11     11
DK/NA                 8      6      7     10      7     10      6     10
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     50%    41%    44%    39%    30%    43%    37%    76%    48%
Republican party     29     40     38     44     51     38     44     14     35
NO DIFF(VOL)         10     12     11      7     12     10     11      3     10
DK/NA                10      8      7      9      7      9      8      7      7
24. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling taxes, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     46%     3%    84%    42%    39%    53%    44%    39%
Republican party     41     92      8     42     49     35     47     48
NO DIFF(VOL)          6      1      3     10      8      4      5      6
DK/NA                 6      4      5      6      5      8      4      8
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     56%    48%    46%    40%    34%    48%    41%    75%    52%
Republican party     30     41     43     48     55     40     47     19     31
NO DIFF(VOL)          7      5      5      5      7      4      6      2      8
DK/NA                 7      6      5      7      4      8      6      4      9
TREND: Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling taxes, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                     Dem     Rep
                     Party   Party   NO DIFF DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         46      41       6       6
Dec 05, 2017         47      39       6       7
Aug 03, 2017         43      43       6       7
Apr 03, 2013         41      41       8       9
25. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling immigration, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     52%     6%    90%    50%    45%    59%    52%    41%
Republican party     38     88      5     37     45     31     40     47
NO DIFF(VOL)          5      2      2      8      7      3      3      6
DK/NA                 5      5      4      5      3      7      4      6
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     65%    49%    52%    48%    39%    53%    47%    83%    59%
Republican party     21     42     38     46     51     37     43     13     29
NO DIFF(VOL)          8      5      6      2      7      3      5      -     10
DK/NA                 6      4      5      5      3      7      5      4      2
26. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling infrastructure, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     43%     7%    77%    37%    38%    47%    41%    33%
Republican party     42     84      9     47     49     36     45     49
NO DIFF(VOL)          8      5      6     10      8      8      8      8
DK/NA                 8      5      8      6      6      9      6      9
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     52%    42%    41%    39%    33%    41%    37%    75%    43%
Republican party     35     43     41     46     53     43     47     14     40
NO DIFF(VOL)          5      9      9      7      8      8      8      4      9
DK/NA                 7      6      8      9      6      9      7      8      7
27. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling domestic violence, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     52%    12%    83%    53%    46%    59%    52%    43%
Republican party     27     68      2     25     32     22     27     34
NO DIFF(VOL)         10     10      7     12     13      8     11     11
DK/NA                11     11      8     11     10     11     10     12
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     66%    55%    49%    45%    42%    53%    48%    74%    63%
Republican party     18     25     27     32     35     26     30      5     23
NO DIFF(VOL)          7      8     12     13     13      9     11     10      7
DK/NA                 9     12     11     11     10     12     11     11      7
28. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling sexual harassment, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     53%    13%    85%    51%    49%    57%    51%    45%
Republican party     23     57      1     22     27     19     24     26
NO DIFF(VOL)         15     18      8     17     15     14     13     17
DK/NA                10     12      6      9      9     10     11     11
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     72%    54%    48%    45%    45%    52%    48%    76%    62%
Republican party     15     23     21     29     28     23     25      4     23
NO DIFF(VOL)          7     12     20     14     17     14     15     11     11
DK/NA                 6     11     10     12     10     12     11      8      4
29. Which political party do you think can do a better job of handling gun violence, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     52%     8%    87%    51%    46%    57%    52%    42%
Republican party     31     73      4     30     37     26     32     40
NO DIFF(VOL)         10      9      5     12     11      9     10     10
DK/NA                 7      9      3      6      6      8      6      8
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     62%    55%    52%    45%    41%    52%    47%    82%    52%
Republican party     27     32     29     36     41     31     36      7     27
NO DIFF(VOL)          6      8     12     11     11      9     10      7     12
DK/NA                 5      5      7      9      7      8      7      4      9
30. Which political party do you think can do a better job of representing your values, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Democratic party     53%     5%    94%    48%    43%    61%    52%    42%
Republican party     38     92      3     36     47     30     39     49
NO DIFF(VOL)          5      -      1      9      5      4      5      4
DK/NA                 5      2      2      6      6      4      4      5
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Democratic party     66%    49%    52%    48%    37%    55%    47%    83%    60%
Republican party     28     37     39     44     53     36     44     12     28
NO DIFF(VOL)          4      5      5      3      4      5      5      2      6
DK/NA                 2      9      4      5      5      4      5      4      6
TREND: Which political party do you think can do a better job of representing your values, the Democratic party or the Republican party? 
                     Dem     Rep
                     Party   Party   NO DIFF DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         53      38       5       5
Dec 05, 2017         51      37       7       6
31. In general, do you think that the Democrats in Congress care about the federal budget deficit, or not? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes/Care             49%    28%    71%    43%    39%    58%    44%    44%
No                   47     71     22     53     57     38     53     52
DK/NA                 4      -      7      4      4      5      4      3
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes/Care             56%    50%    46%    46%    35%    52%    44%    77%    55%
No                   40     47     49     49     63     44     53     17     39
DK/NA                 4      3      5      5      2      5      3      6      6
32. In general, do you think that the Republicans in Congress care about the federal budget deficit, or not? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes/Care             41%    68%    27%    37%    38%    44%    44%    44%
No                   55     28     69     61     58     53     54     51
DK/NA                 4      3      4      2      4      4      2      5
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes/Care             46%    41%    36%    42%    40%    47%    44%    29%    44%
No                   50     55     61     53     57     48     53     69     52
DK/NA                 4      4      3      6      3      5      4      3      5
33. Do you think that the federal budget deficit is an important issue, or not? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes/Important        92%    96%    89%    93%    90%    94%    92%    93%
No                    7      4     10      7     10      5      8      7
DK/NA                 -      -      1      -      -      1      1      -
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes/Important        88%    94%    92%    93%    92%    93%    92%    90%    94%
No                   11      6      7      7      8      7      7     10      6
DK/NA                 -      -      1      1      -      -      -      1      -
34. Do you think that raising the federal gas tax to specifically pay for repairs to the U.S. infrastructure is a good idea or a bad idea? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Good idea            46%    48%    49%    46%    46%    46%    53%    44%
Bad idea             44     39     41     47     48     40     37     45
DK/NA                10     13     10      8      6     13     10     11
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Good idea            48%    49%    45%    47%    51%    46%    48%    42%    42%
Bad idea             39     45     47     40     43     39     41     51     52
DK/NA                13      6      8     13      6     15     10      7      6
TREND: Do you think that raising the federal gas tax to specifically pay for repairs to the U.S. infrastructure is a good idea or a bad idea? 
                     Good    Bad     
                     Idea    Idea    DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         46      44      10
May 11, 2017         51      41       8
37. Do you approve or disapprove of President Trump's response to the recent school shooting in Florida? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Approve              33%    72%     6%    31%    39%    27%    36%    42%
Disapprove           52     10     83     52     44     59     53     41
DK/NA                15     17     11     16     17     14     11     17
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Approve              20%    27%    39%    40%    46%    33%    39%    10%    23%
Disapprove           61     51     51     49     40     53     47     77     58
DK/NA                19     22     10     11     14     14     14     13     18
42. Do you approve or disapprove of the military parade President Trump has ordered? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Approve              26%    58%     6%    25%    33%    20%    22%    33%
Disapprove           61     24     86     62     54     66     65     54
DK/NA                13     18      8     13     12     14     12     14
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Approve              22%    28%    28%    27%    36%    20%    28%    17%    24%
Disapprove           61     60     61     61     52     65     59     75     58
DK/NA                16     13     11     12     12     14     13      8     18
43. As you may know, it has been estimated that the military parade ordered by President Trump will cost somewhere between 10 and 30 million dollars. Do you think this is a good use of government funds, or don't you think so? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes/Good use         18%    37%     3%    20%    24%    14%    17%    20%
No                   75     52     96     73     71     79     78     73
DK/NA                 6     11      2      6      5      7      5      7
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes/Good use         17%    18%    20%    18%    23%    14%    19%     9%    25%
No                   79     75     75     74     71     80     76     85     68
DK/NA                 4      7      5      8      6      6      6      6      8
44. Do you think that the NRA, or National Rifle Association, supports policies that are good for the U.S. or supports policies that are bad for the U.S.? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Good                 38%    80%     9%    38%    47%    31%    36%    49%
Bad                  51      8     83     52     44     57     54     42
DK/NA                11     12      9     10      9     13     10      9
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Good                 26%    43%    42%    39%    53%    34%    43%    10%    39%
Bad                  57     53     46     51     40     55     48     80     40
DK/NA                17      5     13     10      7     12     10     10     20
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Good                 30%    40%    43%    37%    34%    34%    52%    55%
Bad                  56     50     48     51     55     55     37     34
DK/NA                14     10      9     12     11     11     11     11
TREND: Do you think that the NRA, or National Rifle Association, supports policies that are good for the U.S. or supports policies that are bad for the U.S.? 
                     Good    Bad     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         38      51      11
Oct 12, 2017         43      47      10
45. Do you support or oppose allowing undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Support              80%    59%    94%    82%    79%    81%    80%    79%
Oppose               16     37      5     14     18     15     17     17
DK/NA                 4      4      1      4      4      4      3      4
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Support              86%    79%    78%    80%    78%    81%    79%    83%    81%
Oppose               11     19     19     15     19     16     17     11     14
DK/NA                 3      2      4      6      3      4      3      6      4
TREND: Do you support or oppose allowing undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship? 
                     Sup     Opp     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         80      16       4
Feb 06, 2018         81      14       5
46. As you may know, Congress must pass a bill by March 5th in order to prevent the deportation of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. If they do not pass a bill to prevent this, who would you say is most responsible: Republicans in Congress, or Democrats in Congress? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Republicans          58%    22%    86%    57%    51%    64%    56%    50%
Democrats            26     57      6     26     33     20     30     29
DK/NA                16     21      8     17     16     16     14     21
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Republicans          71%    54%    56%    54%    46%    58%    53%    82%    66%
Democrats            16     25     29     31     37     24     30     10     19
DK/NA                13     21     15     15     16     18     17      8     15
47. If Congress does not pass a bill in order to prevent the deportation of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, would you also hold President Trump responsible or not? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes/Hold responsible 61%    21%    90%    59%    52%    68%    60%    51%
No                   37     75      8     39     46     29     38     45
DK/NA                 3      3      2      2      2      4      2      3
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes/Hold responsible 73%    58%    59%    55%    49%    61%    56%    86%    68%
No                   26     39     39     39     49     35     42     11     31
DK/NA                 1      3      2      6      2      3      3      2      1
48. Do you think that President Trump wants undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the United States, or do you think he wants them to be deported? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Remain               27%    54%     8%    27%    32%    23%    30%    31%
Deported             63     30     87     63     58     68     59     58
DK/NA                10     16      5     10     11     10     12     11
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Remain               10%    25%    34%    34%    36%    25%    30%     8%    22%
Deported             86     64     57     53     52     63     58     89     72
DK/NA                 4     11      9     14     12     11     12      3      6
49. Do you think that the Republicans in Congress want undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the United States, or do you think they want them to be deported? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Remain               32%    51%    13%    35%    38%    26%    36%    34%
Deported             55     29     78     54     51     59     49     51
DK/NA                13     20      9     11     11     15     15     15
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Remain               16%    32%    34%    39%    41%    30%    35%    14%    35%
Deported             79     56     52     42     47     52     50     83     60
DK/NA                 6     12     14     19     12     18     15      3      5
50. Do you think that the Democrats in Congress want undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the United States, or do you think they want them to be deported? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Remain               85%    82%    90%    85%    87%    83%    90%    82%
Deported              8     10      7      8      6     10      4     10
DK/NA                 7      9      3      7      7      7      6      8
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Remain               83%    87%    85%    84%    88%    84%    86%    78%    86%
Deported             11      6      9      7      5      8      7     19      7
DK/NA                 6      7      5      9      6      8      7      4      7
55. Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Support              66%    34%    86%    69%    59%    72%    69%    62%
Oppose               31     60     13     27     37     25     27     35
DK/NA                 4      6      1      4      4      3      4      3
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Support              68%    64%    64%    69%    58%    72%    65%    77%    57%
Oppose               30     33     33     26     38     25     31     23     37
DK/NA                 2      3      3      5      4      3      4      -      6
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Support              75%    67%    61%    64%    69%    72%    52%    50%
Oppose               22     31     35     32     28     26     42     44
DK/NA                 3      2      5      4      3      3      6      6
TREND: Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States? 
                     Sup     Opp     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         66      31       4 
Dec 20, 2017         59      36       5
Nov 15, 2017         60      36       3
Oct 12, 2017         60      36       3
Jun 28, 2017         54      42       4
Jun 30, 2016         54      42       4
Dec 23, 2015         47      50       3 
Nov 05, 2015         52      45       3
56. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Support              97%    97%    99%    98%    96%    99%    96%    99%
Oppose                2      2      1      1      3      1      3      1
DK/NA                 1      1      -      -      1      -      1      -
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Support              99%    96%    96%    98%    97%    98%    98%    98%    99%
Oppose                1      4      2      2      3      1      2      2      -
DK/NA                 -      -      2      -      -      -      -      -      1
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Support              99%    97%    96%    98%    98%    98%    95%    97%
Oppose                1      2      3      2      1      1      4      3
DK/NA                 -      1      1      -      1      -      1      1
TREND: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? 
                     Sup     Opp     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         97       2       1 
Dec 20, 2017         95       4       1
Nov 15, 2017         95       4       1 
Oct 12, 2017         94       5       1 
Jun 28, 2017         94       5       - 
Jun 30, 2016         93       6       1
Nov 05, 2015         93       5       1
Sep 28, 2015         93       6       1
Jul 03, 2014         92       7       1
Oct 02, 2013         89       9       1
Click here for full trends


57. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Support              67%    43%    91%    63%    53%    79%    69%    63%
Oppose               29     49      8     34     43     17     26     32
DK/NA                 4      8      2      3      4      4      4      4
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Support              61%    62%    70%    76%    51%    80%    66%    84%    58%
Oppose               33     35     26     21     45     16     30     13     37
DK/NA                 6      3      4      3      4      4      4      2      5
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Support              74%    67%    63%    68%    71%    70%    56%    53%
Oppose               22     30     33     27     26     26     38     42
DK/NA                 4      3      4      5      3      4      5      5
TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? 
                     Supp    Opp     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         67      29       4 
Nov 15, 2017         65      31       5 
Oct 12, 2017         64      32       4 
Jun 30, 2016         59      37       4
Dec 23, 2015         58      38       4
Apr 04, 2013         59      36       4
Mar 07, 2013         54      41       6 
Feb 07, 2013         56      39       5
58. Do you support or oppose imposing a federal mandatory waiting period on all gun purchases, so that everyone who purchases a gun must wait a certain number of days before taking the gun home? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Support              83%    77%    92%    81%    76%    89%    86%    85%
Oppose               14     19      6     16     19      9     12     13
DK/NA                 3      4      1      3      4      2      3      2
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Support              71%    83%    88%    89%    79%    90%    85%    85%    76%
Oppose               24     15      9      8     17      8     12     11     21
DK/NA                 4      2      2      3      4      2      3      4      3
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Support              86%    86%    79%    86%    83%    87%    79%    77%
Oppose               11     12     18     12     13     11     19     20
DK/NA                 3      3      3      2      4      2      2      3
TREND: Do you support or oppose imposing a federal mandatory waiting period on all gun purchases, so that everyone who purchases a gun must wait a certain number of days before taking the gun home? 
                     Supp    Opp     DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         83      14       3
Oct 12, 2017         79      19       2
59. Do you think it is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, too difficult to buy a gun in the U.S. today, or about right? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Too easy             67%    38%    91%    67%    59%    75%    71%    61%
Too difficult         3      5      -      3      4      2      2      3
About right          25     50      6     26     34     18     22     31
DK/NA                 4      7      3      3      3      5      5      4
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Too easy             70%    65%    66%    70%    57%    74%    66%    83%    62%
Too difficult         1      7      2      1      4      1      3      4      -
About right          24     25     29     23     36     20     27     12     35
DK/NA                 4      4      2      5      3      5      4      1      3
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Too easy             75%    64%    64%    70%    71%    71%    56%    55%
Too difficult         2      3      2      4      3      1      4      3
About right          19     29     29     21     22     24     35     38
DK/NA                 4      4      4      5      4      4      6      5
TREND: Do you think it is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, too difficult to buy a gun in the U.S. today, or about right? 
                     Too     Too     About
                     Easy    Diff    Right   DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         67       3      25       4 
Nov 15, 2017         59       4      33       5
Oct 12, 2017         59       3      33       4
Jun 28, 2017         57       6      32       5
Jun 30, 2016         57       3      36       4
Dec 23, 2015         55       4      36       5
60. If more people carried guns, do you think the United States would be safer or less safe? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Safer                33%    67%     6%    35%    43%    23%    31%    40%
Less safe            59     19     90     58     49     67     61     48
DK/NA                 9     14      4      7      8     10      7     12
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Safer                30%    36%    33%    29%    46%    27%    36%     8%    38%
Less safe            60     55     59     63     45     63     55     89     53
DK/NA                10      9      7      8      8     10      9      3      9
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Safer                23%    36%    38%    30%    27%    30%    46%    48%
Less safe            66     57     55     60     65     63     43     41
DK/NA                12      6      7     10      8      7     11     11
TREND: If more people carried guns, do you think the United States would be safer or less safe? 
                             Less
                     Safer   Safe    DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         33      59       9 
Nov 15, 2017         37      55       8
Oct 12, 2017         35      56       9
Jun 28, 2017         35      57       8
Jun 30, 2016         40      52       8
Dec 23, 2015         44      47       9 
Nov 05, 2015         41      49       9
61. Do you think Congress is doing enough to reduce gun violence or do you think Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Doing enough         17%    35%     3%    18%    20%    14%    16%    18%
Do more              75     51     95     76     70     80     76     74
DK/NA                 8     15      2      7     10      6      8      9
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Doing enough         17%    21%    18%    12%    20%    15%    17%     6%    28%
Do more              76     74     75     77     71     78     75     93     66
DK/NA                 7      5      8     11      9      7      8      1      6
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Doing enough          9%    20%    18%    19%    15%    15%    23%    25%
Do more              86     74     72     73     77     80     67     63
DK/NA                 5      6      9      8      8      5     10     12
TREND: Do you think Congress is doing enough to reduce gun violence or do you think Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence? 
                     Doing   Do
                     Enough  More    DK/NA
 
Feb 20, 2018         17      75       8
Dec 20, 2017         25      67       8
Nov 15, 2017         23      69       9
Oct 12, 2017         24      68       8
62. Which of these do you think would do more to reduce gun violence in schools, having stricter gun laws, armed teachers in schools, or using metal detectors at school entrances? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Stricter gun laws    40%     9%    63%    39%    35%    44%    47%    33%
Armed teachers       20     38      6     21     26     15     18     24
Metal detectors      34     41     28     36     33     35     28     36
DK/NA                 6     12      3      5      6      6      7      7
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Stricter gun laws    54%    37%    33%    41%    35%    44%    40%    47%    38%
Armed teachers       17     26     19     15     29     15     21      8     19
Metal detectors      26     32     40     37     29     35     32     44     38
DK/NA                 4      5      8      7      7      7      7      2      5
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Stricter gun laws    48%    37%    33%    46%    41%    47%    27%    26%
Armed teachers       16     22     23     16     19     15     28     30
Metal detectors      29     38     37     31     32     32     40     38
DK/NA                 7      3      7      7      8      6      5      7
63. If you agreed with a political candidate on other issues, but not on the issue of gun laws, could you still vote for that candidate, or not? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes                  54%    67%    42%    55%    58%    50%    58%    58%
No                   34     21     47     33     32     37     31     30
DK/NA                12     11     12     11     11     13     11     12
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes                  59%    58%    57%    43%    62%    55%    58%    39%    50%
No                   30     34     32     41     29     33     31     49     36
DK/NA                11      8     11     16      9     13     11     12     15
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Yes                  57%    52%    55%    50%    51%    56%    54%    60%
No                   32     37     35     33     38     32     33     27
DK/NA                11     11     10     16     11     12     13     13
 
                     STRICTER GUN LAWS Q55
                     Sup    Opp
 
Yes                  53%    54%
No                   36     34
DK/NA                11     12
64. Is being the victim of a mass shooting something you personally worry about or not? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
Yes/Worry            45%    33%    55%    42%    37%    52%    36%    38%
No                   55     67     45     57     63     48     64     61
DK/NA                 1      -      1      1      -      1      -      1
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
Yes/Worry            53%    53%    39%    37%    29%    44%    37%    66%    66%
No                   47     46     60     63     71     55     62     34     34
DK/NA                 -      1      1      1      -      1      1      -      -
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
Yes/Worry            49%    42%    45%    42%    47%    44%    40%    37%
No                   50     57     55     57     52     56     60     63
DK/NA                 1      -      -      1      1      -      1      1
TREND: Is being the victim of a mass shooting something you personally worry about or not? 
                     Yes/
                     Worry   No      DK/NA
                     
Feb 20, 2018         45      55       1
Dec 20, 2017         37      62       1
Nov 15, 2017         40      60       -
65. Which do you think is a bigger problem in the United States: mass killings committed by people from other countries, or mass killings committed by U.S. citizens? 
                                                               WHITE......
                                                               COLLEGE DEG
                     Tot    Rep    Dem    Ind    Men    Wom    Yes    No
 
From other countries 20%    48%     8%    16%    21%    19%    19%    23%
U.S. citizens        70     36     88     73     68     71     73     66
DK/NA                10     16      4     11     11     10      9     11
 
                     AGE IN YRS..............    WHITE.....
                     18-34  35-49  50-64  65+    Men    Wom    Wht    Blk    Hsp
 
From other countries  9%    17%    26%    23%    23%    20%    21%    18%    16%
U.S. citizens        88     72     64     64     67     71     69     78     75
DK/NA                 3     11      9     13     10      9     10      4      9
 
                     REGION...................   DENSITY............  Gun
                     NEast  MWest  South  West   City   Suburb Rural  HsHld
 
From other countries 17%    24%    24%    13%    18%    17%    28%    28%
U.S. citizens        70     65     67     79     71     76     59     60
DK/NA                13     11      9      9     11      7     13     13

Poll Questions